Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy store, looks to open first US location in New York

The Toy Retailer has its eyes on Herald Square

Herald Square, NYC Credit: Flickr.com/New York City Department of Transportation

(NEW YORK, NY) — With Toys “R” Us out of the picture, the race is on for a new market leader in the toy industry. However, there may be a new kid on the block—Herald Square to be more specific.

Hamleys, the British toy retailer, may be coming to New York City. According to the Commercial Observer, the company is working to secure 30,000 square feet at 2 Herald Square. If the deal is finalized, the store will open its doors in 2020. However, negotiations are still ongoing.

Hamleys is 258 years old and was opened in 1760 by William Hamley. A New York storefront would be the companies first location in the US.

Commercial Observer reports that there is an $11 billion hole in the toy industry now that Toys “R” Us is no longer in the picture. The space at the intersection of Avenue of the Americas, Broadway and 34th Street would lease to Hamleys for $8 million a year for 15 years.